Infant bathtub support



A 1951 H. c. SCHRECKENGOST 2,553,076

INFANT BATHTUB SUPPORT Filed Nov. 1,- 1946 HAROLD C SCHRECKENGOST Patented Aug. 7, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to a new and improved means for safely supporting infants in normal adult size bathtubs or other bathing devices.

The object of my invention is to provide an adequate, safe, and economical means for supporting infants in bathtubs while said infants are being bathed.

A furtherobject of my invention is to construct a device of simple design, of light weight, and conveniently operative, and of such a character and construction to render the said device adaptable to economical and practical manufacture.

With the use of my invention an infant can be safely supported upon pliable fabric secured to an inclined frame in such a way as to allow the infant to be partly submerged in the water contained in a tub, the support being so designed that the area which supports the infants head is free from any rigid, hard surfaced connecting or supporting rods, thus providing a general supporting area free from hard surface parts which might injure the infant.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings where like parts are indicated by like reference characters and wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective View showing my support frame void of the supporting fabric.

Figure 2 is a plan or top view showing a suitable fabric secured to the frame.

Figure 3 is a side elevation partly in section taken on the line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a section View of plane 4-4 of Figure 2.

Referring to the drawings, I provide a generally rectangular frame I composed of a U- shaped member having longitudinal side members 2 and 3 connected at one end by a bight portion 4. The longitudinal side members are downwardly directed at their free ends at an acute angle, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, to provide legs 2 and 3', respectively, for supporting the frame at an inclination to the bottom of a bath tub on which the frame is placed. The lower ends of the legs are provided with rubber or plastic cups 5 which make harmless contact with the bath tub bottom.

A transverse member Ila extends between and is connected to the longitudinal side members at points intermediate the upper and lower ends of the legs 2 ad 3, respectively, to complete the rectangular frame and further reinforce the same.

Any suitable fabric is stretched over the frame 2 and securely secured on the longitudinal and transverse members by stitching. The fabric covered frame is shown in plan View in Figure 2. The fabric 6 may be of any suitable material as canvas or water repellent fabric.

The covering fabric 6 is cut larger than the overall size of the frame in order that it might be properly secured to said frame. The fabric is wrapped around the frame to form a flap l for stitching and securing the fabric to the frame, as indicated in Figure 4.

Figure 3 shows my invention in a bathtub containing water, and a fragmentary section showing the fabric secured to the frame.

The construction of my infant support as herein shown provides a support whereon the infant can be supported without danger of contacting any cross supporting members, thus providing a soft and pliable fabric support. My frame support can be constructed of metal or wood in the form of tubing or rod. I prefer tubing especial- 1y of the light weight, high strength, non-corrosive type.

It is to be understood that variations in ar.

rangement of my invention may be accomplished without departing from the spirit of my invention, I therefore do not limit myself to the specific examples shown.

What I claim is:

1. In a device for supporting an infant in a semi-reclining position on a bath tub bottom while being bathed, a relatively rigid rectangular frame comprising a U-shaped member having a bight portion to rest upon a tub bottom, longitudinal side members proceeding from opposite ends of said bight portion, said side members having free end portions at the ends thereof remote from said bight portion, said free end portions being directed downwardly at an acute angle to provide legs having lower ends to rest upon a tub bottom so as to support said frame at an inclination thereto, a tranverse member extending between and connected to said legs above their lower ends, and a flexible material sheet on said frame and extending between said side members and between said bight portion and said transverse member, said sheet being secured along its side edges to said side members including upper portions of said legs with one end of the sheet secured to said bight portion and the other end thereof secured to said transverse member.

2. In a device for supporting an infant in a semi-reclining position on a bath tub bottom while being bathed, a relatively rigid rectangular frame comprising a U-shaped member having a bight portion to rest upon a tub bottom, longitudinal side members proceeding from opposite ends of said bight portion, said side members having free end portions at the ends thereof remote from said bight portion, said free end portions being directed downwardly at an acute angle to provide legs having lower ends to rest upon a tub bottom so as to support said frame at an inclination thereto, a transverse member extending between and connected to said legs above their lower ends, and a flexible material sheet on said frame and extending between said side members and between said bight portion and said transverse member, said sheet being secured along its side edges to said side members including upper portions of said legs with one end of the sheet secured to said bight portion and the other end thereof secured to said transverse member, said lower ends of said legs having caps thereon for non-injurious contact with a bath tub bottom.

HAROLD C. SCHRECKENGOST.

4 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

